Researchers around the world are struggling to crack the code for curing cancer. This terminal disease has affected the lives of millions with treatments that become truly unbearable in the long run.?
However now, scientists have developed a novel way to fight cancer as well as regenerate neurons.
It is no secret that our body is entirely made up of cells -- they¡¯re responsible for us to be healthy. The way cells help us stay healthy is with the help of ligands that fuse with the receptors on the surfaces of the cell to carry out its function. When this bond gets damaged, it makes us fall sick.
Stanford bioengineer and head of the department, Jennifer Cochran (study published in?Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences) has made some alterations to the ligands resulting in two distinct outcomes -- one alteration causes neuronal cells to regenerate whereas the other stops the growth of tumour in the lungs.
This was tested on rat and human cells or in mice that simulate the actual disease. Basically, the studies show the functioning of ligands and receptors and how this functioning can be tweaked to make it actually heal the cell itself.?
Cochran explains how difficult the process can be as the shape of ligands and receptors is crucial. With each one retaining their unique three-dimensional shape, they need to be compatible like a lock and a key to match and connect with each other.?
Researchers have made the most of sophisticated molecular engineering techniques to alter the lineup of amino acids in a ligand, and try out different shapes, which they then screen to see if they can find a receptor to connect with -- this is called a superagonist.?
Cochran says, "I have long been fascinated with how proteins function as nature's molecular machines, and how the tools of engineering allow us to shape protein structure and function with the creativity of an artist, in this case using amino acids as our palette."
"These proteins can hopefully one day be used to treat neurodegenerative disease, as well as cancers and other disorders such as osteoporosis and atherosclerosis¡±, she added.